John Kerslake pre-selected to run for LNP despite strip club controversy

Amy Remeikis

The LNP candidate who made headlines for a strip club controversy which played out on social media has again been pre-selected to run for the party at the upcoming election.

Police Sergeant John Kerslake has been pre-selected to run in the seat of Mirani in the 2015 poll, following current LNP MP Ted Malone's decision to retire at the next election.

Mr Malone has held the seat since he 1994 by-election and has a safe margin of more than 10 per cent.

Sergeant Kerslake ran in Mackay in the 2012 election and almost managed to take the seat from Labor MP Tim Mulherin, who suffered a 16.3 per cent swing against him.

But his campaign was marred by what Sergeant Kerslake at the time labelled a "dirty tricks campaign" from his opposition.

Allegations Sergeant Kerslake favoured local strip-club bar manager Jasmine Robson during a police campaign to reduce crime in the town's entertainment districts were re-floated, despite a Crime and Misconduct Commission investigation finding he had no case to answer.

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The situation was further inflamed after Facebook messages between Sergeant Kerslake and Ms Robson, who was managing Grosvenor on George in Brisbane, known for its topless barmaids, were made public.

The Courier Mail reported Sergeant Kerslake replied to Ms Robson's broad invitation on the social media platform to attend the venue that if he was "lucky" he could "get the chance to look the place over next in Brisbane as well".

At the time, he told reporters he was just being polite and had no intention of visiting the venue.

Within minutes of Sergeant Kerslake's announcement as the Mirani LNP candidate, the stories highlighting the 2012 controversy hit Twitter.

LNP state director State Director Brad Henderson said it was more dirty tricks.

"This is a rehash of the smear campaign which characterised Labor's strategy ahead of the 2012 state election," he said.

"John Kerslake is a candidate of high integrity and is passionate about representing the people of Mirani as part of the strong LNP team."

In announcing the pre-selection LNP President Bruce McIver described him as a "passionate north Queenslander" who had a "strong understanding of the issues which are important to the people of Mirani".

"He will be a strong member of the Newman LNP government which is getting Queensland back on track," he said.

Sergeant Kerslake said he looked forward to the challenge.

"As a family man, I face the same challenges and concerns of many families in Mirani and will focus on creating more local jobs as a priority," he said.

A date for the election is yet to be called, but it is expected to be held in either late February or early March.